Agriculture Canada employees have been disciplined and at least one fired over inappropriate behaviour in processing farm support payments, the government says in a report to Parliament. The department, in a response tabled this summer to a critical House of Commons public accounts committee report, said it had conducted a “thorough investigation” into allegations of […] Read more
Farm Living
Civil servants disciplined over private CAIS work
Listeria inquiry ruled out
The Liberals, with the support of other opposition parties, forced an emergency meeting of the House of Commons agriculture committee last week, but it did not turn out as planned. The meeting was called on short notice to examine what the party said are deficiencies in the Conservative government’s response to the 2008 listeria outbreak […] Read more
Farmers get less of dollar
Food prices are going up but the farmers’ share of that consumer dollar is going down. A study based on the cost for a week’s worth of food for a family of four found that the groceries purchased for $188.22 last year cost $194.23 this year. Alma Kennedy, a retired professor who conducted the study […] Read more
Infrared touted as fire stopper
A Saskatchewan insurance firm believes it has reduced the number of hog barn fires in the province by using infrared thermography. Garth Driedger, risk consulting manager at Mennonite Mutual Fire Insurance in Waldheim, Sask., said he and other employees started scanning hog barns with infrared equipment six or seven years ago and that practice has […] Read more
Education tax falls in Sask.
Rural municipal taxpayers in Saskatchewan should notice at least one difference on their 2009 property tax bills. After the provincial government last spring announced it would pay more of the Kindergarten to Grade 12 education cost, that part of the bill has dropped substantially for most ratepayers. However, some could still see overall property tax […] Read more
Cattlewomen back cause
When more than 130 women from the cattle industry played a golf course in Medicine Hat, Alta., last week, they weren’t just taking a day off work. They were participating in an event that has quickly become a significant fundraiser. Cattlewomen for the Cure held its fourth annual tournament Aug. 17 and raised $44,745 in […] Read more
Doer’s impact on hogs remembered
Gary Doer is done with the top job in Manitoba. While one farm group is glad to be done with him, others are hoping his big new job lets him keep doing. “They didn’t ignore rural issues,” said Keystone Agricultural Producers president Ian Wishart about Doer’s 10 years as premier, noting his support for environmental […] Read more
Historic building gets new lease on life
One of Manitoba’s most significant agricultural buildings may soon be renovated because the federal government has committed $425,000 to restore Brandon’s Dominion Exhibition Display Building No. 2., a national historic site and rare example of prairie architecture. “This building is a symbol of the excellence of agriculture that has been an important mainstay of Brandon,” […] Read more
Can brass fire employee charged with a crime?
You have been charged, not convicted, so your employer should not take action against you. If you are convicted, however, the questions and answers become more complex. Some convictions would likely lead to automatic dismissal, some to no action and many somewhere in between. For example, if you hold two jobs and were convicted of […] Read more
Alta. polishes up flu season plans
Alberta health officials say they are ready for this year’s flu season, including any widespread outbreaks of H1N1. “We are readier than we have ever been. There is still some polishing up to do for some specific details of our preparations for the fall and things that need to be adjusted because we are still […] Read more
